Christian radio coming to county
By Leah Farr, Sentinel Correspondent
September 10, 2009
The Cumberland Valley’s radio waves are about to get a little more holy. Initial plans for a Christian radio station, called The Bridge (91.3 FM), have been approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Now the radio station is seeking volunteers and donations to get the station off the ground by early 2012.
Reaching listeners from Shippensburg to Harrisburg, The Bridge programming will focus on connecting the community to the Gospel, says project manager Bruce Apgar. The Bridge programming will consist of Christian music, local news, weather and traffic, and will include broadcasts from nationally known teachers like James Dobson and Chuck Swindoll.
“The station will bring music and programs to encourage the Christian community from Sunday to Sunday,” Apgar says.
He says the station will fit a specific need in the community.
“There are really good stations out there, but they don’t come in well around here. We hope to create a full-powered station, one where someone in Newville can get into their car and listen to it all the way to Harrisburg.”
Christian radio is an important tool to not only Christians, but non-Christians as well, Apgar suggests, citing a report from the Barna Group, a national Christian-based research firm. That report found that one-third of Christian radio listeners were non-Christians, and 52 percent of all non-Christians were exposed to Christian broadcasting in a typical month.
The Bridge will broadcast on 91.3 FM to listeners in the Cumberland Valley, Harrisburg and parts of Perry County. The station is a non-profit organization that aims to not only appeal to the entire family, but also serve as an arm of the church, Apgar says.
“One of our desires is to help advertise church and community needs. For example, if Project SHARE has a request for food or a church has an event, we will be able to broadcast that for them.”
The idea to create a local Christian radio station began in 2000 with a small group of men. At that time, the FCC put a moratorium on new radio stations, which was only lifted for a brief period in 2008. Apgar and The Bridge board members had years to prepare for that moment and jumped at the chance to apply for a station. They had already done the leg work of hiring a lawyer and an engineer and finding a site for a broadcast tower. They were approved in May of 2009.
Currently about 10 volunteers are beginning the grassroots movement to raise funds and find more volunteer staff. Apgar estimates they will need approximately $150,000 to get the station off the ground and cover the first year of its operation costs.
He is also looking for volunteers with radio licensing, engineering, Web design, grant writing and advertising experience, “or anyone else who is willing to pitch in.”
“The greatest need is for volunteers and funds to make this station a reality in the Cumberland Valley. We need volunteers to market information and help in the fundraising process.”
In addition, The Bridge needs prayer partners, Apgar says.
“I think that the Christian community takes a lot of hits in society about what we believe … whether it be about creation or the sanctity of life. There is not a lot out there where we aren’t being pushed that type of agenda,” Apgar says. “We want this radio station to be something that edifies the Christian community with the truth.”